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1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION

2 OF THE STATE OF OREGON

3 In the Matter of the ) STIPULATION OF FACTS AND

4 Teaching License of ) FINAL ORDER OF SUSPENSION

g ROBERT RUSSEL J ESSOP ) AND PROBATION

7 On or about January 31, 2011, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission

8 (Commission) received a report from Medford School District indicating that Robert

9 J essop (J essop) was suspected of using marijuana on school property during the
1 0 workday.
1 1 J essop fully cooperated with the Commissions investigation in this matter. After
12 _ review of the matters alleged, J essop and the Commission agree that their respective
13 interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to certain
14 facts, the imposition of a six-month suspension followed by a four (4) year probation.
1 5
16 By signing below, J essop acknowledges, understands, stipulates, and agrees to
17 the following: (i) he has been fully advised of his rights to notice and a hearing to contest
18 the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order set forth below, and fully and finally
19 waives all such rights and any rights to appeal or otherwise challenge this Stipulation of
20 Facts and Final Order of Suspension (Stipulation and Final Order); (ii) this Stipulation
21 and Final Order is a public document and disclosed to the public upon request by the
22 Commission; (iii) this Stipulation and Final Order is contingent upon and subject to
23 approval and adoption by the Commission. If the Commission does not approve and
24 adopt this Stipulation and Final Order, then neither J essop nor the Commission are
25 bound by the terms herein; (iv) he has fully read this Stipulation and Final Order, and
26 understands it completely; (v) he voluntarily, without any force or duress, enters into
27 this Stipulation and Final Order and consents to issuance and entry of the Stipulated
28 Final Order below; (vi) he states that no promise or representation has been made to
29 induce him to sign this Stipulation and Final Order; and (vii) he has consulted with an
3O attorney regarding this Stipulation and Final Order and has been fully advised with
31 regard to his rights thereto, or waives any and all rights t0 consult with an attorney prior
32 to entering into this Stipulation and Final Order and issuance and entry of the Stipulated
33 Final Order below. J essop understands that the probation will be subject to specific
34 terms and conditions.
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Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF SUSPENSION- JESSOP, ROBERT RUSSEL

3,
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1 STIPULATION OF FACTS
2 1. The Commission has licensed Robert Russell J essop since March 23, 1994.
3 J essop’s current Standard Teaching License with an endorsement in Basic Social
4 Studies, and Standard Elementary, issued 0n May 18, 2010, expires on May 17,
5 2015. During all relevant times J essop was employed by the Medford School
6 District as a full time teacher until February 15, 2011.
7 2. At Medford, Mr. Jessop coached the Brain Bowl from 1999-2011, served 0n the
8 SITE Committee from approximately 1996 to 2002, served as Social Science
9 Department chair for approximately two years, served as a curriculum team
10 leader from about 2002 to 2011 and worked as facilitator of the Positive Behavior
1 1 and Intervention Support committee from 2006 to 2011. He also worked as a
12 Master Teacher to five different student teachers.
13 3. J essop is a long term (17 year) educator who has no previous disciplinary issues
14 with TSPC or the Medford School District. J essop is considered an esteemed
15 educator, and is widely regarded as a gifted teacher.
16 4. On January 4 and January 5, 2011, the district alleged that J essop smoked
17 marijuana in a faculty bathroom inside McLoughlin Middle School, in the
18 Medford School District. J essop took a drug test at the request of the district,
19 which returned a positive result for marijuana.
20 5. Per district orders that he provide a statement under threat of termination,
21 J essop admitted smoking marijuana up to 10 occasions in the faculty bathroom
22 and retrieved the marijuana from his vehicle located in the faculty parking lot.
23 J essop was not found to have distributed, displayed or shared marijuana with any
24 parent, student or coworker.
25 6. J essop underwent an entry evaluation with Addiction Recovery Center in
26 February 2011 and successfully completed the three-month rehabilitation
27 recommended by the evaluator. A
28 7. J essop continues to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and a Marijuana
29 Anonymous meeting group he started in Southern Oregon.
30 IT IS SO " P/ LATE’
31 l I’ A I IZ3OZ I'l
32 R0 "i" ussellJe up , Date
33 1 4 / __ _
34 ‘ J”? l/J/u M M
35 ictori t ' ' . .- n : lain, - xecutive Director Date
36 Teacher andards and Practices Commission
Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF SUSPENSION— JESSOP, ROBERT RUSSEL

‘ O O
I
1 / / /
2 CONCLUSION OF LAW
3 On January 4, and January 5, 2011, Jessop smoked marijuana in a faculty
4 bathroom inside McLoughlin Middle School, in the Medford School District. The
5 marijuana was retrieved from J essop’s vehicle which was parked on school grounds.
6 J essop was asked to take a drug test on January 5, 2011, which returned a positive result
7 for marijuana. This conduct constitutes gross neglect of duty in violation of ORS
. 8 342.175(1)(b); OAR 584-020-oo4o(4)(n) as it incorporates OAR 584-020-00 10(5) (Use
9 professional judgment); OAR 584-020-0040(4)(g) (Appearing on duty or at any
10 district-sponsored activity while under the influence of alcohol or any controlled
1 1 substance). This conduct also constitutes gross unfitness in violation of ORS
12 342.175(1)c); OAR 584-020-0040(5)(e) (Admission of or engaging in acts constituting
13 criminal conduct, even in the absence of a conviction), specifically, OAR 584-020-
14 0040(1)(yy) (ORS 475.864(4) -- Possession of less than 1 ounce of marijuana within
15 1,000 feet of school).
16 Initially, J essop was not honest with school officials. When confronted by school
17 administrators regarding this behavior J essop denied engaging in such conduct. In
18 subsequent interviews with the district J essop admitted using marijuana on school
19 grounds, and estimated that you had done so no more than ten times. This conduct
20 constitutes gross neglect of duty in violation of ORS 342.175(1)(b); OAR 584-020-
21 oo4o(4)(n) as it incorporates OAR 584-020-001o(5) (Use professional judgment); and
22 OAR 584-02o-oo4o(4)(c) (Knowing falsification of any document or knowing
23 misrepresentation directly related to licensure, employment, or professional duties).
24 The Commission’s authority to impose discipline in this matter is based upon
25 ORS 342.175.
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Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF SUSPENSION- JESSOP, ROBERT RUSSEL

’ .
1 ORDER
2 The Commission hereby adopts and incorporates herein the above findings of fact,
3 conclusions of law, and based thereon hereby imposes a six-month suspension upon
4 J essop’s Standard Teaching License as follows:
5 Robert Russell J essop’s Standard Teaching license is hereby suspended for six
6 months following the adoption of this order.
7 Furthermore, the Commission imposes a four (4) year probation upon J essop to
8 commence the date of adoption of this order and subject to the following terms
9 and conditions of probation:
10 1. At the end of his suspension period, J essop will submit documentation that
1 1 he completed all treatment recommended by the Addiction Recovery Center.
12 2. J essop shall, upon request, submit a negative urine sample as a condition of
13 reinstatement of his license.
14 3. J essop shall comply with the Standards for Competent and Ethical
15 Performance of Oregon Educators under Oregon Administrative Rules
16 Chapter 584, Division 020.
17 Violation of any term or condition of probation shall constitute an independent basis for
18 the Commission to revoke J essop’s teaching license or otherwise impose discipline, after
19 first providing J essop with notice and opportunity for hearing
20 I l / th/
21 Issued and dated this 2 day of February, 2012.
22 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
23 STATE OF 0 ‘- GON _
24 w ,r '/ /
25 By _711n/Z/ “4.11/1. L 1,. ./. 1,
26 ictoria Ch . inbe a (utive Director
‘ Page 4 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF SUSPENSION- JESSOP, ROBERT RUSSEL